The National tribune., 1887-01-06
RELIEF CORPS NEWS.
Gleanings from National Headquar-
terS--NOteS from the Departments.
HEADQUARTERS WoMAN's RELIEF CORPS
SAN Francisco. CAL.


DEC. 80. 1886.
DEAR TRIBUNE: Snow aud frost and ice and
slush are the constant companions with many
a TRIBUNE reader at this season of the year.
but il is very hard for me to realize it as / sit
by the open window, with the warm, bright
sunlight streaming III and the gardens beauti-
ful with roses, helIOtropes, callas and innumer-
able flowers. Encouraging letters are con-
stantly reaching US from the different Depart
ments, showing increased activity and interest
in our Relief Corps work. and everywhere busy
hands are making preparations to add to the
holiday pleasures of the wards of the Corps.
Large Christmas boxes well filled were
sent to the Soldiers Homes and Orphans
Homes, and smaller boxes to the various
households where fortune has forgotten to
smile, and where want would hold possession if
1t were not for the charitable women of our
Order
The same pure, disinterested loyalty that
prompted the noble women who organized this
grand and charitable Order to devote their time
and means and energies to benefit the destitute
wards of the Nation, has grown and spread
until now more than 10000 women are engaged
in this work.
And where are our past leaders: Mrs. Bar
ker, Sherwood Fuller, Turner and Others?
From letter just received from Mrs. Barker,
Chairman OF the Committee of Pensions for
Army Nurses, we learn that she is actively at
work in Massachusetts,, visiting and inspecting
Corps, counseling with the past and present
National officers, always earnestly and actively
interested In anything and everything for the
advancement of our work in general and of
the particular duties assigned to her. In Ohio
Mrs. Sherwood is as ever busy, carrying on the
good work of Forsyth Corps and turning her
attention toward the advancement of the State
Orphans Home, while her duties as Secretary
OF the Pension Committee for Army Nurses,
and editor of "Woman's Work " in The Ma
TIoNAL TRIBUNE, are not few by any means.
And now let US review little the work of
our last National President, Mrs. Fuller. Thir-
teen long, anxious months of toll and anxiety,
and aweary trip across the Continent, and for
days closely and entirely given to the Conven-
ton, is 1t any wonder that she would require q
little rest before again taking up her labors
She has devoted much time for more than 20
years to soldier work, and is not idle now, be-
ing one of the Board of Management of the
Soldiers Home at Chelsea, Mass, as well as
very active worker in her own Corps and a
member of the Council of the W.R.C. TO all
these past officers who have builded so we'll
shall we ever look for advice and counsel for
the years TO come. Theirs was the pioneer
work-ours to complete the structure they so
ably began.
wonder If the Department officers remote
from the office of the National Treasurer ever
and how much actual hard labor she is obliged
to perform. Mrs. Turner has the entire charge
Of the supplies for % Departments, represent
ing over 1000 Corps. Accurate accounts with
each Department must DO kept, supplies ship
ped, money paid out and received; and this is
the unremunerated work Of one woman, who
yet finds time to 90 and visit some isolated
Corps that needs advice and instruction. The
only compensation she receives is the knowl-
edge that she is nobly doing her part for the
advancement of our organization, whose corner
stone Is builded upon the principles of Fra
ternity, Charity and Loyalty.
All honor to our brave women who are help
ing to care for the unfortunate while perpetu-
ating the principles for which our brave de-
tenders fought.
The interest being taken in the Relief Corps
by many of the Department Commanders is
exceedingly gratifying. Commander Gray, of
Connecticut, in General Orders, No. IL. says:
The attention Of Commanders and comrades of
the several Posts of this Department is earnestly
invited TO this the officially recognized auxiliary of
the G. AR IL IL believed that the patriotic women
OF our land, in thus organizing, are placing them
selves in position 20 render the greatest possible
assistance TO the Grand Army in its noble work Of
caring for those left TO their and protection and
should receive the hearty encouragement OF those
whom 1t Is their design to aid. Posts with which
there are no Corps connected are desired to give
the matter their careful consideration and wishing
further information can put themselves in commu-
nication with Mrs. Mary j Dyer, Department Presi-
dent, or Mrs Mary T.. Whlilesey, Department
Secretary, New Haven, Conn.
Mrs. Faunce, President of Potomac Corps,
Washington, ID. C., writes US that the members
of the Corps are very much interested, and
that their membership will be at least 100 very
soon.
The National Treasurer is now ready TO fur
nish Departments with the new edition of
Beath's Blue Book, and every Corps should
own one for reference.
The National President extends TO all best
wishes for Merry Christmas and Happy
New Year. EUREKA.